Palace eyeing summer free agent as part of Hodgson’s master plan


Crystal Palace have been linked with a swoop for Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram, who will be a free agent in the summer.

Lundstram, 27, has been with the Blades since July 2017 but his days at Bramall Lane are now numbered. The former Oxford United star was offered a new deal last year but declined to put pen to paper.

Manager Chris Wilder made it clear he wanted the Liverpool-born schemer to stay with the club. But Lundstram will fall out of contract at the end of the campaign and may have plenty of suitors. One of them looks like being Palace, according to The Mirror.

Although not a vintage season for the Eagles, Roy Hodgson’s side are likely to remain in the top flight. A move to Selhurst Park would mean the former England Under-20 star could remain in the Premier League.

The Yorkshire outfit are heading to the Championship, with Saturday’s loss to Southampton making things worse. Lundstram has made 23 league appearances in 2020-2021.

But he has been unable to arrest the club’s decline in what looks like ending in inevitable relegation this term. Burnley have also shown an interest in the player and, like Palace, will be looking to overhaul their squad this summer.

Sean Dyche has managed to turn things around at Turf Moor after it looked as though the Clarets might be heading down. Both clubs appear decent options for the man who began his career at Everton but failed to make a first-team appearance.

Busy summer for Hodgson

There will be many Palace players out of contract at the end of the current campaign. Dutch defender Patrick Van Aanholt is one of them.

Football Insider have suggested that he has already opened talks with an unnamed Champions League club. The full-back’s contract expires in less than six months and he is therefore free to talk to overseas clubs.

There will also be the annual hunt for Wilfried Zaha’s signature. The south Londoners have managed to resist all offers to date but this might be a transfer window too far.

Players will be recruited and Lundstram seems to be a favourite of Hodgson. He is vastly experienced at the lower levels of English football.

While on the Toffees’ books he enjoyed several temporary spells away from the club. The Merseysider was loaned to Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient, Blackpool and Scunthorpe United.

His stint with United was a first foray into the Premier League. And Palace might be set to hand him another chance at the big time.

 

READ MORE: Financial disparity angers Hodgson





Source link

Back to top button